In pictures: 30 years of Super Mario

Mario’s debut appearance on a portable was the first title to be made without his creator, Shigeru Miyamoto. As a Gameboy launch title, the machine’s creator, Gunpei Yokoi and his team at Nintendo R&D1 instead took on the challenge to condense the platforming experience into the decade-defining portable. While not as critically adored due its mere 12 level length, it still had some unique and dastardly touches, like side-scrolling shooter segments and those cruel, exploding Koopa shells.